Cigna Medical Group Recognized as Outstanding Practice for Pediatric Immunizations by the Arizona Partnership for Immunizations

24 April 2012

PHOENIX, April 24, 2012 – Cigna Medical Group (CMG) has been honored by The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI) with the organization’s annual “Dr. Daniel T. Cloud Outstanding Practice Award.” CMG was recognized for its leadership and excellence in immunizing Arizona children – reaching 90 percent coverage levels. The award was announced on the heels of Infant Immunization Week, April 21-28, and will be presented at the TAPI awards dinner in Phoenix on May 2, 2012.

“We have seen the commitment of Cigna Medical Group to immunize their child, teen and adult patients as a critical first step in preventive health care and their high standards help ensure a healthy Arizona,” said Debbie McCune Davis, Program Director of TAPI. “At CMG, health care professionals and staff invest the time, resources and initiatives to educate their customers on the importance of immunizations at all stages of life and we honor their efforts and accomplishments with this prestigious award.”

The Cloud Award was introduced in 2001 to honor practices and clinics reaching 90 percent immunization coverage for children. Beginning this year, practices were eligible for either the Toddler or Teen. Depending on previous recognition, practices must rotate the award between the two categories from year-to-year. This marks the eighth year CMG medical offices have been recognized for their superior immunization adherence and includes all eight CMG medical officess with pediatric departments: Chandler, Deer Valley, South Mountain, Stapley, and Westridge HealthCare Centers were recognized in the Teen category. Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Tempe were recognized in the Toddler category. Additionally, the South Mountain facility was honored with a “Hot Shot Award” recognizing a practice that has gone “above and beyond the call of duty” to give tremendous amounts of time and effort to increase immunizations.

“CMG recognizes that the best way to guarantee a long and healthy life is to ensure children receive the appropriate preventive care right from the start,” said Andrea Houfek, M.D., medical director of urgent care and pediatrics for Cigna Medical Group. “Immunizations are vital to pediatric and long-term health and one of the best ways to protect individuals, families and communities against disease. We are honored to receive this award and strongly support TAPI in their efforts to spread awareness and growth of immunization programs.”

Cigna Medical Group is the group practice division of Cigna HealthCare of Arizona and one of the Valley's largest multi-specialty group practices with 23 health care centers and two convenience care clinics located throughout metropolitan Phoenix. Each health care center is equipped with several medical services under one roof, so additional diagnostic needs such as lab work, imaging—even prescriptions—can be quickly obtained. Cigna is the only health services company in Arizona that operates multi-specialty centers designed to help patients conveniently receive quality health care.

About CIGNA

Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has approximately 70 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.

About The Arizona Partnership for Immunization

TAPI is a non-profit statewide coalition of over 400 members. TAPI was formed in response to the alarming fact that in 1993, only 43% of Arizona’s two-year-olds were fully immunized against preventable childhood diseases like measles, mumps, polio and whooping cough. Through the efforts of TAPI’s partners from both the public and private sectors, immunization coverage rates in Arizona have improved dramatically, with nearly three in four children fully immunized by age two. Unfortunately, the problem never ends. Each year in Arizona almost 90,000 babies are born, and none arrive immunized. For more information, visit www.whyimmunize.org.

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC). In Arizona, individual HMO plans are insured by Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

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